King John of England agreed, in 1215, to the demands of his barons and
authorized that handwritten copies of Magna Carta be prepared on parchment,
affixed with his seal, and publicly read throughout the realm. Thus he
bound not only himself but his "heirs, for ever" to grant
"to all freemen of our kingdom" the rights and liberties the
great charter described. With Magna Carta, King John placed himself and
England's future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law.
authorized that handwritten copies of Magna Carta be prepared on parchment,
affixed with his seal, and publicly read throughout the realm. Thus he
bound not only himself but his "heirs, for ever" to grant
"to all freemen of our kingdom" the rights and liberties the
great charter described. With Magna Carta, King John placed himself and
England's future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law.
<http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/>.